Get to Know: Ella More Ahead of Her Newest Release ‘Hate You For Good’

Hailing from Birmingham, Ella More is a rising star in the music industry, seamlessly blending R&B, pop, neo-soul, and alternative influences. Her newest single, "Hate You for Good," released 25th July, promises to captivate listeners with its funky production and summer vibes. Her first few years in the spotlight have been nothing short of remarkable, with her debut singles amassing over 400k plays and touring with artists such as Jorja Smith, Tamera, and Sipho, Ella More has solidified her presence in the music scene.

Speaking to Ella, she delved into her musical beginnings, imposter syndrome, her Birmingham roots, and what to expect next. Ella's journey into music started later than most, “I feel like I got into music a lot later than a lot of people do. I’ve always loved music, but it always felt like that pipe dream,” she says. Initially, she pursued a different path, studying physical geography with a specialism in hydrology at university. “I was like, I’m gonna save the planet,” she recalls. Birmingham played a crucial role in her musical development. “The musicians I ended up meeting were like a 10-minute walk from my house, so we would spend every single day working together. They taught me everything I know and provided me a safe space to make mistakes and experiment in. Birmingham has a really supportive music community,” she explains.

Ella delves into the emotion she puts into her music and how that resonates with her listeners. “I really love music that moves me to feel something, whether it be happy or sad. I think it’s something so uniquely special about music, it has the ability to bring things to the surface that sometimes you didn’t even know you were feeling. It can be so relatable to any mood, and any moment,” she shares. This emotional depth is evident in her songwriting process. “Part of why I started writing was having a lot of overwhelming emotions and not knowing where to channel them. Music became the easiest way for me to deal with things I was going through.” Collaboration is another key aspect of her creative process. “I love the idea that you go into a room, and everything made is unique to that moment. I like the energy of collaborating, and creating something that couldn’t have happened without all these things having fallen into place that led you to all being in that room that day,” she says.

Despite her success, Ella still grapples with imposter syndrome. “I’m still so early on in my career but I’ve done things that last year were just dreams and goals, so I’ve definitely felt like an imposter at times. I’ve spoken to artists much further along in their careers than me, and they say it never goes away,” she admits. Looking ahead, she has big dreams. “I would love to do Glastonbury. I’ve tried to get tickets so many times and never managed. So, eventually I gave up and said, I’ll go when I’m playing. That’s my next goal,” she reveals.

Speaking on her hands-on approach to ensure her music sounds exactly how she envisions it, Ella explains “To get things to sound how I want them to, I have to be present in the entire process. It’s important to be able to communicate what you want, which can be difficult when you don’t know the right terminology. I’ve learnt so much about drums recently and still feel like I know nothing! But it’s all part of the process, and I’ve been lucky to have worked with incredibly talented and patient musicians and producers who have made it so much easier”. Balancing creativity and the business side of music can be challenging. “You have to be an editor, producer, photographer, videographer, content creator, and have an understanding of PR, marketing and business law. It’s stressful but really rewarding,” she adds.

This summer is an exciting one for Ella, having already performed at Cross the Tracks in May, she’s not slowing down “We’re supporting Jungle at Birmingham Utilita Arena in August. I always love going back home for performances. It’s surreal to be part of such a big event. I’m pinching myself, thinking, how is this happening?” she says with excitement. Her festival plans also included a special performance in Le Marche, Italy. “I performed at a small festival in Italy, which was special because it was my first international show. We also filmed the music video for Hate You For Good while we were out there. We had no idea what we were going to film or how it was going to turn out, I just wanted it to encapsulate that summer feeling and make you smile when you watch it.” she explains.

Ella’s upcoming projects are just as thrilling. “We’re working towards a project, hopefully rolling out just after summer into October or November,” she reveals. With her talent, drive, and emotional depth, Ella More is undoubtedly a name to watch in the music industry.